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One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes

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One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes

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Description

Head into the hills and get sky-high on this eight-day northern Thailand adventure. Pass through the bustling hub of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, and take the time to check out the night markets and bars well worth hopping. Trek the hillside villages outside of Chiang Mai, before exploring the city and its colourful nightlife. Find waterfalls, elephants and your new fave activity (kayaking, anyone?) and soak in some gorgeous natural scenery that you’d only see from local hilltribes. This journey will take you through temples, jungles, markets and mountains, sure to get your heart pumping and your tastebuds singing.

Trip Name
One Week in Thailand: Kayaking and Hilltribes
Last Updated
2024-09-02
Days
8
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Trek deep – super deep – into the northern Thai hinterland with two days of trekking and two nights staying in a traditional hilltribe village, laughing with the locals and learning about their lifestyle.
  • Immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Thailand, from cascading waterfalls and mountainside views to a kayaking adventure on Mae Taeng River (followed by a spot of white-water rafting if you dare) to get a new perspective.
  • Get your street food fix in bustling Bangkok and cool Chiang Mai and tuck into some of the tastiest eats in all of Asia. When you’ve had your fill (is that even possible?), be treated to traditional homecooked dinners during your hilltribe village homestays.
  • Hit the nightlife in cruisy Chiang Mai, in the Nimman area that’s swarming with hipster bars and uber-cool lounges. Bar hop, hit the night markets and find all the best spots from a local leader with all the insights.
  • Enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s a bit of rest and relaxation at the local Thai massage place or discovering new friends at the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Animal Protection. Donations support them to promote better living conditions for elephants in captivity and help rescue elephants from inhumane conditions. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Bangkok
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to keep you occupied – maybe take a walk around Chinatown and explore the vibrant streets or head to the magnificent Grand Palace. Tonight, it’s time to dig into some traditional tastes of Thailand. Bangkok is known for its street food, so maybe head out with your leader and check out some roadside stalls around the Sukhumvit area. Later, maybe discover Bangkok’s nightlife and head out to one (or more) of the best local bars. Ask your guide for directions or grab your new travel mates and attempt to navigate the BTS skytrain and MRT subway.
Day 2 - Bangkok - Overnight Train
This morning, you have a free day in Bangkok before your overnight train this morning. Maybe start off with a relaxing Thai massage – the perfect way to limber up and start your day. Then, maybe check out Talad Noi by bike, take on the Bangkok Temples or book yourself on the River of Kings Urban Adventure (just see urbanadventures.com). After your day exploring, hop on an overnight train up to Chiang Mai.
Day 3 - Chiang Mai
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning and transfer to your guesthouse. Then, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings. Chiang Mai is the perfect entrance to the Thai highlands, with misty mountains and colourful hillside villages waiting to be explored. This will be your base for the next few days, as you’ll return here after your hillside trek. Today, you’re free to relax or explore the city. Maybe get active and go ziplining or cycle around the city. Take on a cooking class to learn some local flavours (and pick up some mad skills to take home) or just wander around on foot and visit Doi Sethep Temple and a couple of the cool cafes around the area. Tonight, why not get your group together to go bar hopping or explore the night markets in the happening Nimman area?
Day 4 - Chiang Mai - Hilltribe Trek
This morning at around 8 am, leave Chiang Mai and head to Mae Malai Market to stock up on some delicious fresh snacks for your trek. Then, visit Mok Fah Waterfall for a cheeky dose of natural beauty. Sit down for some lunch to refuel with your group at a local restaurant, then continue to the starting point of today’s hike. Your destination for this evening is the Mae Ma Nai Hilltribe Village. Walk along the mountain ridge and take in the views of the natural forest and remote scenery. When you arrive, enjoy a local home-cooked dinner by the campfire to celebrate a successful day. Later, take a walk around the village and chat with the locals. This is a really special opportunity to experience rural Thai life first-hand!
Day 5 - Hilltribe Trek
The best thing about being deep in the jungle in the morning is waking up to the natural sounds of wildlife calls. After breakfast, begin today’s trek through the storybook landscape of farmland and jungle, exploring other hilltribe villages and seeing how life differs between them. Your whole trek is the perfect nature photo op, so make sure you’ve got your camera handy! Enjoy lunch along the way and reach Pong Ngan Lahu Village this afternoon. After two long days of hiking, relax your legs and soak in some natural scenery before an included home-cooked dinner tonight.
Day 6 - Chiang Mai
The Mae Taeng River awaits you this morning, as you head off on a kayaking adventure towards Sop Kai Village. Paddle downstream as you're immersed by gorgeous surroundings for 2 to 3 hours, taking in the lush green scenery. From here, you can choose to head back to Chiang Mai via private transfer and enjoy a leisurely evening or opt to take to the rapids for some whitewater rafting. Paddle further down the river and get the adrenaline pumping before you head back to Chiang Mai for the night. When you arrive, maybe refresh and recharge or head out to explore the Wat Prasingh and Wat Chedi Luang temples in your free time. Tonight, ask your leader for the best spots for a pad thai or a khao soi.
Day 7 - Chiang Mai - Overnight sleeper train
Today is a free day to explore Chiang Mai and you’re spoilt for options. Maybe take the chance to learn one of the world’s legendary martial arts, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) this morning. Spend 1.5 hours learning the basics of Muay Thai with the pros, plus how to adapt yourselves to be the weapons and the guard. You could also visit the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary and witness these majestic animals roaming the valley and chilling in nature. Or maybe stop by Chuan Chom Vocational Training Center for lunch or a massage. Here, you'll learn about the work that they do to train the women from the correctional institution with skills to go back to society. Later, board an overnight train for Bangkok.
Day 8 - Bangkok
Your train is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok early this morning. When you arrive at the station, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer, and we wouldn’t blame you, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-12-202422-12-2024AUD $ 822-
22-12-202429-12-2024AUD $ 714-
29-12-202405-01-2025AUD $ 935-
05-01-202512-01-2025AUD $ 742-
12-01-202519-01-2025AUD $ 793-
19-01-202526-01-2025AUD $ 784-
02-02-202509-02-2025AUD $ 784-
16-02-202523-02-2025AUD $ 784-
09-03-202516-03-2025AUD $ 817-
23-03-202530-03-2025AUD $ 817-
13-04-202520-04-2025AUD $ 784-
27-04-202504-05-2025AUD $ 784-
11-05-202518-05-2025AUD $ 784-
01-06-202508-06-2025AUD $ 755-
15-06-202522-06-2025AUD $ 755-
29-06-202506-07-2025AUD $ 755-
06-07-202513-07-2025AUD $ 755-
13-07-202520-07-2025AUD $ 755-
20-07-202527-07-2025AUD $ 755-
27-07-202503-08-2025AUD $ 755-
10-08-202517-08-2025AUD $ 755-
24-08-202531-08-2025AUD $ 755-
07-09-202514-09-2025AUD $ 784-
12-10-202519-10-2025AUD $ 784-
02-11-202509-11-2025AUD $ 817-
09-11-202516-11-2025AUD $ 817-
16-11-202523-11-2025AUD $ 817-
23-11-202530-11-2025AUD $ 817-
30-11-202507-12-2025AUD $ 817-
14-12-202521-12-2025AUD $ 817-
21-12-202528-12-2025AUD $ 860-
28-12-202504-01-2026AUD $ 860-
04-01-202611-01-2026AUD $ 865-
11-01-202618-01-2026AUD $ 865-
18-01-202625-01-2026AUD $ 865-
01-02-202608-02-2026AUD $ 865-
15-02-202622-02-2026AUD $ 865-
08-03-202615-03-2026AUD $ 905-
22-03-202629-03-2026AUD $ 905-
12-04-202619-04-2026AUD $ 865-
10-05-202617-05-2026AUD $ 865-
31-05-202607-06-2026AUD $ 835-
14-06-202621-06-2026AUD $ 835-
28-06-202605-07-2026AUD $ 835-
05-07-202612-07-2026AUD $ 835-
12-07-202619-07-2026AUD $ 835-
19-07-202626-07-2026AUD $ 835-
26-07-202602-08-2026AUD $ 835-
09-08-202616-08-2026AUD $ 835-
23-08-202630-08-2026AUD $ 835-
06-09-202613-09-2026AUD $ 865-
11-10-202618-10-2026AUD $ 865-
01-11-202608-11-2026AUD $ 905-
08-11-202615-11-2026AUD $ 905-
15-11-202622-11-2026AUD $ 905-
22-11-202629-11-2026AUD $ 905-
29-11-202606-12-2026AUD $ 905-
13-12-202620-12-2026AUD $ 905-
20-12-202627-12-2026AUD $ 905-
27-12-202603-01-2027AUD $ 905-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights),Overnight sleeper train (2 nights),Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (2 nights)

Transport

Overnight sleeper train,Songthaew,Tuk-tuk

Map

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